Special Issue of PGAS Publication August 3-9, 2014

PROVINCIAL Capitol, Agusan Sur—The provincial government is bent onuplifting at least 13,000 families frombeing poorest of the poor by 2016, a topprovincial official has disclosed.Jesusimo Ronquillo, provincialadministrator, told participants of basicjournalism seminar among departmentinformation officers of the capitol thatthe objective of reducing povertyincidence to 13 percent or from 37percent to just 24 percent by 2016 is partof the main development framework ofthe administration of Governor AdolphEdward Plaza.

“ This goal will stand for the battle cryof the provincial government, which isshared governance, shared accountabilityand shared prosperity,” Ronquillo stressedin his presentation during the openingprogram of the 3-day training.

The goal of drastically decreasingpoor families was based on the surveyconducted by the provincial planning anddevelopment office through theCommunity Based Monitoring System,which showed that as of 2012 there arestill 52,000 families still living below thepoverty threshold.

Ronquil lo said most of thoseidentified in the CBMS survey are livingin the upland hinterland villages wherethere are less government intervention andfar from accessibility of governmentservices.

Plaza has vowed to at least achievecloser to the goal of reducing povertybefore his second term ends after herecently introduced the Upland Agri-forestry Development (USAD) program ashis flagship development thrust.

USAD was launched in August 2012with four pilot villages as beneficiariesincluding Sta. Teresita,

PGAS : Lesser 13,000poor families by 2016

By LEODILLA DINGDING

PROSPERIDAD,Agusandel Sur – Aninfant born on July 27 at around 7:30 a.m.at the D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital wasthe local version of the province’s historic100 millionth baby of the population ofthe country.

The newborn, Marie A. Dahug,followed all other infants in the country whichcame with the first recorded baby born onthe same day at around 12:06 a.m. based onthe data on 2010 population projection bythe Philippine Statistics Authority.

Born on July 27, 2014, 7:30 in themorning at the DO Plaza Memorial Hospital,Patin-ay, Prosperidad, baby Marie A. Dahugwas chosen as Agusan del Sur 100 millionthbaby.

To highlight the significant number of

Agusan del Sur’s 100 millionth babythe population, Commission on Populationinitiated the Search for the 100 millionthFilipino nationwide to babies born on thatday.

Among all the babies born at DO PlazaMemorial Hospital, baby Marie’s time wasthe nearest to the start of July 27.

The parents, Mr. and Mrs. Genaro P.Dahug, a resident of Patin-ay, Prosperidadhad received a package of baby suppliesworth P5,000 given by the Commission onPopulation.

The package was handed by theProvincial Health Officer, Dr. Joel L.Esparagoza, Chief of Nurse Mrs. Labilla andPopulation Officer – Designate, Leodilla C.Dingding at the pedia ward of the hospitalon July 28.

The parents were very happy uponreceiving the package.Cont. to page 3poor families...

PGAS eyes 5 –gold in ‘Batang Pinoy’ Minda leagueBy Tony M. Aroy

Provincial Capitol – The province iseyeing at least five gold medals forthe “Batang Pinoy Mindanao League2014” in Pagadian City.

The province will send 8 -youngat h le tes tha t wi l l compet e a t t he“Batang Pinoy 2014 Mindanao League”in Pagadian City on September 10.

According to the Provincial Sportsan d You th Development Services(PSYDS) , t he Agusa n del Surdelegation headed by Gov. AdolphEdward ‘Eddiebong’ Plaza will bringlocal athletes representing differentspor t in g even ts such as box in g,a t h le t ics , chess, lawn tenn i s a ndtaekwondo.

Danilo T. Garcia, PSYDS chief,said, it is the goal of PSYDS to producelocal a th letes that can compete innational competition.

“Training of the athletes is on-going”, Garcia said, adding that asidefrom field practice the athletes wouldbe provided nutrition and vitamins.

The Provincial Sports Coordinatoris also monitoring the athletes to see toit that they are in good condition andable body.

Garcia is hoping to ‘capture’ fivegold medals in the competition.

AMATEUR BOXERS sparring during the “Mano-A-Mano” BoxingTournament during the celebration of 22nd Naliyagan Festival held at D.O.Plaza, Government Center, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur last June12-17, 2014. (Photo by Danilo T. Garcia-ADS Sports Dept. Head.)

ALLAN LUBANG OF PROVINCIAL AGRICULTURE OFFICE(PAO) performs his best exercise at Provincial Fitness Center asone of the contestants of the “Biggest Loser”. One of the activitiesinitiated by the Provincial Sports and Youth Development Servicesin celebration of the Nutrition Month on August to September 2014.(Photo by Danilo T. Garcia-ADS Sports Dept. Head.)

AGUSAN DEL SUR KARATEDO DELEGATESparticipated in the “Karatedo Invitational Tournament”during the 77th Araw ng Dabaw held at NCCC Mall, DavaoCity last March 22-23, 2014. (Photo by Danilo T. Garcia-ADS Sports Dept. Head.)

GOVERNOR EDDIEBONG PLAZA plants a rubber seedling at the Rubber SeedlingNursery at Agricultural Research Center in Barangay Mabuhay, Bayugan City. Theprovincial government intensifying production of budded rubber seedlings as part ofUpland Sustainable Agri-forestry Development (USAD) program to uplift the economiccondition of Agusanons by engaging them in high value crop farming.(PPIO-ADS/EDG)

August 3-9, 20142 11August 3-9, 2014

The 17-year old working ‘governor’Benjamin P. Goopio

In its passion to become a publicservant, Reymond S. Loreto anevocative student became governorof Agusan del Sur.

Last 2012 he run for ChildGovernor but he failed of its missionand year 2013 the door of his dreamis open to achieve its ambition, aworking student from Municipality ofSan Francisco.

According to the child Governor,education has a vital function ineradicating poverty. Children shouldfinish their studies and in promotingchildren’s rights, “a symposium couldbe a very good avenue in informingthem. However, to enjoy our rights,”he noted, “it is also our responsibilityto do our job, we should make the firststep.”

“However, the Children’sCongress and Governance is a doorand venue to enjoy our rights,” henoted,” it is also our responsibility todo our job, we should to make our stepfor our journey.

Provincial Government of Agusandel Sur keep moving and strengthened itsyouth sector through the Children’sCongress and Governance held at theProvincial Training Center, D.O Plaza,Government Center, Prosperidad, Agusandel Sur on October 19 to 21, 2013.

The Children’s Congress is backedby the Presidential Proclamation No. 267declaring the month of October as theNational Children’s Month. In addition,it is embodied in Section 46 of theSangguniang Panlalawigan OrdinanceNo. 16, Series of 2002, otherwise knownas Children’s Code of Agusan del Sur .

The Congress enlightened andbroadened the knowledge of the childrenthrough the different activities anddiscussions concerning them. Thediscussions involved topics on Rights ofChildren and Obligations, Leadership,Child Abuse and Exploitation, Illegal Useof Drugs and Awareness, and Issues andConcern of Youth.

They were presented and discussedby credible speakers with expertise ontheir designated topics. The participantsalso learned the value of teamwork, trust,sacrifice, and patience from the teambuilding activities.

To further, they were also taught onthe procedure in election of electivepositions, appointing of child provincialgovernment depar tment heads,

Or ien ta tion of Dut ies andResponsibilities, training on legislationand Drafting of Resolutions, and a mocksession for the elected Child Members ofthe Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Thement ioned activities served aspreparations of the children for the oneday Children’s Governance.

The children from Bayugan City andfrom the Municipali ties of: SanFrancisco; San Luis; Prosperidad; Loreto;Veruela; Sta. Josefa; Bunawan; La Paz;Talacogon; and Trento had participatedthe Children’s Congress and Governance.

“You will legislate today,” ViceGovernor Santiago B. Cane, Jr., theprincipal author of the Children’s Codeof Agusan del Sur, addressed the electedChild Members of the SangguniangPanlalawigan after his State of theChildren’s Report. “And the result ofyour legislation will be consideredofficia l, binding, and legal .” hecontinued. This is also true to all theelected child officials and the differentdepartment heads, their transactions areall valid as provided for in the Children’sCode of Agusan del Sur.

Eddiebong urges village chairs tohelp clear the highway from eyesoresBy MERLITA DE PAZ

PROVINCIAL Capitol, Agusan delSur— The provincial government isgetting serious to clear the nationalhighway from traffic obstructionbrought about by inevitable settlerswithin the road right of way.

Provincial officials recently metwith all barangay chairmen whosevillages are situated along the longstretch of the national highway to comeup with a win-win solution to removeresidential homes and other edificescaught within the 30-meter for each sideof the road right of way.

This came as an offshoot after Gov.Adolph Edward Plaza issued Executive

Order No. 01 Series of 2014 organizingthe Provincial Task Force on Squattingand Resettlement of the Province ofAgusan del Sur.

The Task Force presided the meetingwith the Barangay Chairmen to giveemphasis to the settlers situation andresettle their houses and buildings in alegal and a right place (“ Road Right ofWay”) based on Republic Act 7279Series of 1991 “to keep them in harm’sway.”

Since the meeting was fully attendedby village officials from Sibagat toTrento town, the organizers also took thechance to let participants sign themanifesto to fully commit to suchagreement. /DIO-PADMO

CHILD GOVERNOR REYMOND S. LORETO deliver his message during theChildren’s Congress and Governance held at the Provincial Training Center, D.OPlaza, Government Center, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on October 19 to 21, 2013.

August 3-9, 201410 3August 3-9, 2014

Haum nga libro sa kabataanipatuman sa ‘Project Pagtuon’Ni ROSALIE C. BENITO

PROVINCIAL Capitol, Agusan delSur—Ipaseguro na sa panggamhanangprobinsiyal nga haum na gayud angmga libro nga magamit sa pagtoun angipang-apod apod sa mga nagtunghanga kabataan sa mga pampublikongtulonghaan.

Ipatuman kini atol sa pag lunsad nausab sa programang “Project Pagtoun”nga gitakda sa umaabot nga Setyembre16 nga ipahigayon sa Kapitolyo.

Nasuta sa pagtoun nga gipasi-ugdahan nila Sally Lambaco, PagtounCoordinator, nga dunay kakulangon ngaangay bag-ohon ilabi na sa pag-apodapod sa mga libro sa mga eskwelahan kay

kasagarang gipanghatag kaniadto dili manmagamit sa mga kabataan ug mgamagtutudlo kay dili haum sa ilang matagadlaw nga leksyon.

Ang Project Pagtoun usa sa nag-unang programa ni Gobernador AdolphEdward Plaza kansang tumong mao angpagtubag sa panginahanglanon sa mgakabataan sa ilang edukasyon nga labingimportante niini mga libro sa ilangpagtulun-an.

Ang maong programa nagsugodniadtong 2010 diin ubay ubay na nga mgatulonghaan ang nakabenepisyo sa liboanka mga libro apan lagi kasagaran anggipanghatag gikan man sa Estados Unidosdiin dili haum sa kurikulom sa edukasyonsa nasud. /DIO-PGO/SPSSD

Department Information Officers,Effective Partner in CommunicationBy: ANNAH SHARON G. ROSALES

Provincial Capitol – At least 26 of 35Department Information Officers(DIO) of Agusan del Sur governmenthave participated in a 3-Day BasicJournalism Writeshop held at theProvincial Training Center.

The activity started on July 30 toAugust 1 which was initiated by theProvincial Public Information Office(PPIO) aimed at developing the DIOsskills in news writing and public relations.

Ferdinand Perez, Public Affairs andMedia Relation Chief, said the seminarwould enhance the DIOs skills in newswriting and public relations.

Perez, who is also the seminar ’sdirector added the participants wouldqualify to be reporters for the ProvinceDaily Newsletters.

Two practicing journalist shared theirexperiences and expertise as the resourcespeakers of this activity. Withoutselfishness, Alden Pantaleon of BusinessMirror and the Caraga Standard sharedsome notes on Public and Media Relationswhile Chris Panganiban of PhilippineDaily Inquirer focused on how to writeclear and effective news stories.

Through workshops, the DIOs wereable to write news stories regarding thedifferent Programs, Projects and Activities

(PPAs) in their department.The Public Affairs and Media

Relations (PAMRE) of the ProvincialPublic Information Office (PPIO) knewthat through the DIOs, through their

stories, they will be able to inform thepublic of what are the PPAs in the provinceof Agusan del Sur and supply data to PPIOthus making them a real partner incommunication. /Research-PAMRE

Pinagalaan and Magkiangkang inBayugan City and Sta. Irene inProsperidad town.

Initially, a total of 127 hectares willbe developed into rubber plantation ,13,500 square meters for cutflowerproduction and almost a hectare ofupland rice of which the areas aremostly covered by Certificate ofAncestral Domain Title.

Ronquillo said the program isanchored to the core principles of theprovince to have a deliberate targetingof the poor, link of peripheries to thegrowth centers, impact-driven andresults oriented programs an projects,tap local partners and organizations asdevelopment partners , and establishshared governance for sharedaccountability.

from page 1poor families...

Department Information Officers (DIO’s) listen as Mr. Chris Panganiban talkedabout “how to make a news story” during the two-day DIO’s Basic Journalism Workshopheld at Provincial Learning Center, D.O. Plaza Government Center, Patin-ay,Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur last July 30-August 1, 2014. (Photo by Clemente AroyJr. /PPIO-PAMRE)

August 3-9, 2014August 3-9, 20144 9

By Ethel Dahuc

Ipatuman unya ang programang pangspiritwal sa tanang mo-eskwela ogelementarya ning probinsiya humannatapos ang pagpanday sa usaka”module o session guides” sa maongprograma.

Matod pa ni Jesusimo L. Ronquillo,provincial administra tor ngagikinahanglan nga moagi sa saktongproseso ang maong plano aronmapatuman ang maong programa.

Bag-ohay lamang, nagkatagbo angmga representante sa nagkadaiyang

“Spiritual program” ipatuman samga eskwelahan sa probinsiya

relihiyon, katekista ug lumilihok sasimbahan ning probinsiya aron pakusganug masiguro nga masulod isip usa kakurikulom sa eskwelahang elementaryaang programa.

Tumong niini nga mahatagan ogsaktong giya ang mga kabataan aronmapalambo ang maayong hiyas ugmapalig-on ang relasyon o “inter-faithrelationship” pinaagi sa “ecumenicallearning approach” sa magtutudlo ngadtosa mga batan-on.

Giawhag usab nga aron mapalig-on,usa ka “executive order” o kasabutan angmapirmahan tali sa Department of

Education (DepEd), religious groups,katekista ug ang panggamhanangprobinsiyal aron pormal nga ma-implementar ang maong programa.

Kahinumduman, gimando niGobernador Eddiebong Plaza nga iapilang ispiritwal nga programa ang pag-umolsa mga kabatan-onan samtang anaa pakini sa elementarya isip “preventivestage”.

Ang maong kalihukan gipahigayonubos sa Moral Values Formation para saBatang Agusanon (MVFBA) pinaagi saMoral Recovery and Values Formation(MRVFS) sa probinsiya.

Moms adopt breastfeed in Loreto townPagbag-o samga computerssa kapitolyoipatumanNi AUGUSTUS REY DE GUZMAN

PROVINCIAL Capitol- Bout ngabag-ohon karon sa ProvincialInformation Management Office(PIMO) ang mga ek wipo saInformation and CommunicationTec hnol ogy sama sa desk topcomputers, LCD Projectors ugmga document scanners subay sapagpamoderno sa teknolohiya sakapitolyo.

Ang maong lakang nagsilbi isippreparasyon sa pag-implementar saDocument Tracking System o (DTS)aron mapasayon ug mapadali angpag-t r a ce o pag t r ack sa mgadokumento nga muabot sa matagopisina.

Kini usab nga sistema mahimongbasehan kung asa nadugay ang mgadokumento nga giproseso.

Hin uon , gipa abot pa angpagtugot sa usa ka AdministrativeOrder una ipatuman ang maongsistema.

AGUSAN DEL SUR- Mothers andpregnant women in Loreto town arenow pushing for a breastmilk as an“exclusive feeds” for their infantsinstead of milk formula.

“Kung gihigugma mo sila,magpasuso ka”, said by one of themothers who attended a lecture onexclusive breastfeeding on July 13.

At least 30 mothers and soon to bemoms have participated in the saidlecture and undergone prenatal check-up at the same time.

The activity was initiated by the

Loreto District Hospital(LDH) held at theRural Health Unit-Loreto.

Geneveve Espana, nurse at the LDH,said the lecture focus on the Importanceof Breastmilk, good attachment, properpositioning, nutrients of Breastmilk .

According to an LDH staff, mothersthat used milk formula often confined tothe hospital due to LBM as early as 2-month old.

It added that promoting exclusivebreastfeeding as a program of the DOHwill help reduce poverty and morbidity.

PPDO plays big role in USADBy ABIGAIL MAANDIG

PROVINCIAL Capitol–Little didmany people knew, the ProvincialPlanning and Development Officeplays a big role of the provincialgovernme nt’s f lagship programUpland Sustainable Agri-forestryDevelopment or more known asUSAD.

As a pet program of Gov. AdolphEdward Plaza, the PPDO under themanagement of Danilo Bermoy hasshouldered the crucial task for the

successful implementation of USADprojects. Bermoys was also tasked asteam overseer especially in Loretoprojects.

PPDO also serves as a databank ofprimary and secondary data of theprovince for use of developmentplann ing, policy formulat ion anddecision-making.

The primary source of data used inpla nn ing , pr ogram and projectimplementation, and decision makingis the Community-Based MonitoringSystem (CBMS).

CBMS is a monitoring tool of theprovince’s socio-economic condition,particularly on poverty situation.

Additionally, it is a comprehensivesurvey that covers the condition of eachhousehol d us ing the soci a l a ndeconomic indicators.

In the third quarter of 2012, the thirdround of CBMS was conducted throughthe col labor at ive effor ts of theprovincial government of Agusan del Sur(PGAS) and t he r est of localgovernments in the province includingBayugan City and 13 towns and downto the 318 barangays.

The census was completed on thefirst quarter of 2013.

CBMS holds the purpose to providebasic socio-economic situation of theprovince. One of th e im por t an tindicators generated in the system is thePoverty Incidence of the province,which decreased significantly to 48.36%in 2012 or by 6.44% from 2009. It usesthe annual Poverty Threshold per Capitaof Php19,634 which recorded 67,846total poor households.

With the aid of CBMS, PGAS wasable to identify strategies that wouldmitigate poverty in the province. Itfaci l i ta ted the formulat ion of theProvincial Development Framework(PDF) in targeting 12.6% PovertyIncidence reduction or 8,548 poorhouseholds.

In line with the PDF, the USADprogram identified six municipalitieswit h h i gh ma gn i tude of poorhouseholds and by prioritizing thosebarangays with high level of povertyseverity using CBMS.

These towns include Loreto, LaPaz, Veruela, Sibagat, San Luis, andEsperanza. Nevertheless, CBMS will beimplemented in its fourth round on 2015.

Agusan del Sur eyes rabies free in 2014By Millisent Omen

Provincial Capitol- The provincialgovernment aims to make Agusan delSur zero rabies this year.

The Provincial Veterinary Officet h r ough i t s “Ra bi es Con t rolEradication Program” is targeting some17, 500 dogs to be vaccinated at theend of this year. Seven municipalitiesand one city particularly Prosperidad,

Bayugan City, Loreto, Trento, SanFrancisco, Rosario, Esperanza andVeruela already participated during thescheduled massive vaccination withthe full support of their Municipal andCity Agriculturist and Veterinarians.

Aside from massive vaccination,distribution of Information EducationCampaign (IEC) materials to farmers,Rabies Symposiums and Orientationon r esponsible pet ownership was

initiated to different schools in theprovince.

The PVO will also conduct RabiesDisease Surveillance to support incontrolling and preventing zoonoticdiseases in the province. 12,243 dogswer e a l r eady vaccina ted a nd t h isactivity will be until December of thesame year. Php 300, 000.00 budgetallocated for this activity came fromAnti-Rabies Trust Fund.

GOVERNOR ADOLPH EDWARD G. PLAZA in serious conversation with RodelMaglunsod-team leader of USAD La Paz with COS Josephine Ambongan-teamleader of USAD Sibagat and Ms. Linda M. Boquer-USAD Overall Team Coordinatoras they visited the Provincial Rubber Seedling Nursery. (Photo by Elejardo D.Grado/PPIO-PAMRE)

A NURSE FROM LORETO DISTRICT HOSPITAL lectured about breastfeedingfocusing on the Importance of Breastmilk, good attachment, proper positioning,nutrients of Breastmilk. (Photo by LDH Staff)

August 3-9, 2014 August 3-9, 20148 5

By JULIUS QUIJADA

PROVINCIAL Capitol , Agusan delSur—- The the Upland SustainableAgri-Forestry Development (USAD)Program of the provincial governmentwill be launched in Barangay Langagin Esperanza town on August 14.

The launch will highlight medicalmission, mass feeding and signing ofMemorandum of Agreement (MOA)between provincial government,municipal government of Esperanza andBarangay of Langag.

A ceremonial turn-over of projectslike Free Range Chicken Production, FruitTree Production, Falcata Production, andBlack Rice Production will be witnessedduring the launching.

Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement(MPDP) and Spring Water Developmentwill be awarded also during the event. Thelaunching will be attended by Gov. AdolphEdward G. Plaza together with provincialand municipal officials.

USAD is a strategy of provincialgovernment to reduce poverty incidencein the province by 12.6% in 2016.

Main project of USAD is the RubberTree Farm Development with 20 hectaresrubber to be planted in eachbarangay withsix pilot barangays in six municipalities ofthe province namely La Paz, Loreto, SanLuis, Sibagat, Veruela and Esperanza.

PGAS through USAD aims toimprovethe quality of livingof upland communitiesand reduce poverty incidence in theprovince.

USAD launchingin Esperanza set

‘Hipus Basura’ kicked off in LoretoBy ZENEVEV LONGAQUIT

PROVINCIAL Capitol, Agusan delSur— The flagship Upland SustainableAgri-forestry Development (USAD) alsotook waste management as a majorprogram component, a report from theProvincial Environment and NaturalResources –Local Government Unit said.

Implemented under PENRO-LGU, theproject dubbed as “ Hipus Basura” kickedoff in Loreto recently with Mayor DarioOtaza leading some 150 barangay officialsduring the orientation on the salientfeatures of Republic Act 9003 otherwiseknown as the Ecological Solid WasteManagement Act 2000.

Speakers of the event especially cited

the proper disposal of solid wastesmandating waste segregation in everyhousehold andthe no segregation, nocollection policy.

Hipos Basura will help protect theenvironment against pollution and ensures

public health and sanitation, a PENRO-LGU official said.

The waste management program willbe also implemented in six other townsincluding Sibagat, Esperanza, San Luis,La Paz and Veruela.

By GERONIMO PORLARES

PROVINCIAL Capitol, Agusan del Sur-In line with provincial government‘stransparency and participatorygovernment thrust, the Local FinanceCommittee of the Capitol andstakeholders from the civil societyorganisations recently meet tothoroughly discuss the annual budget for2015 during the budget forum.

Held at at the Provincial LearningCenter (PLC),the annual activity is a partof the initial steps in preparing the annualbudget for the upcoming calendar yearwhere local budgeting policies andstandards are leveled-off within thebureaucracy.

Several topics where presented

Capitol execs, CSOsmet at budget forum

934 clients served at NERBAC Naliyagan boothBy RUTHEEL F. BUTT

PROVINCIAL Capitol, Agusan delSur— At least 934 clients with differentimportant concerns were served by the“one-stop shop” booth of the NationalEconomic Research and BusinessAssistance Center (NERBAC) duringthe recent week-long celebration ofNaliyagan Festival.

Dubbed as “NERBAC-Agusan delSur Serbisyo sa Naliyagan para saKatawhan”, the booth has extendeddifferent concerns from residents to easetheir burden and cost in dealing withgovernment line agencies.

Participating the “one stop shop”services at the booth include theDepartment of Trade and Industry,Bureau of Internal Revenue, Social

including the role of Civil SocietyOrganizations (CSOs) in Budgeting,Budgeting and Planning Cycle, RevenueEstimates for 2015, and PGASProcurement Process.

An open forum immediately followedwhere the participants actively took part.Among the issues raised was aboutstrengthening the planning process ofPGAS to ensure the inclusion of thepoorest of the poor in budget preparation.

Provincial Administrator JesusimoRonquillo, who chairs the LFC, presidedover the forum. In attendance were thebudget in-charge, Project ProcurementManagement Plan (PPMP) in-charge fromall PGAs departments, and representativesfrom five CSOs.

By Clyde B. Trimidal

Ang buhatan sa Assessor ninglalawigan mohatag sa librengsurvey sa kayutaan nga nasulod sayutang pang-agrikultura,resettlement site ug barangay site.

Sumala pa ni Engr. Cesar T.Rufi la , Jr. , hepe sa buhatan saAssessor, ang pag-survey sa yutaipahigayon nga libre aron matagaansa klarong utlanan ang kayutaan salalawigan.

Dugang pa ni Rufila, ang gustomagpasurvey sa kayutaan magpadalalang sa sulat -hangyo uban saresolusyon sa ilang nahilunaangbarangay.

Ang l ibreng “land survey”pangunahan sa Land ResourceUtil iza tion Review Division(LRURD) ug Tax Mapping OperationDivision ubos sa liderato ni Engr.Romeo H. Restor.

Ang Agusan del Sur adunay 13ka mga lungsod ug usa ka dakbayansa Bayugan nga gilangkuban sa 319ka mga barangay.

Assessormidalit oglibre ngaland survey

Security System, Philhealth, Pag-ibighousing, Department of Health,Department of Labor and Employment,Department of Environment on NaturalResources, Philippine Coconut Authority,National Statistics Office, Department ofForeign Affairs, Department of Interior andLocal Government and ProvincialEnvironment and Natural ResourcesOffice-Local Government Unit.

Taking the lead at the booth were theProvincial Economic and EnterpriseDevelopment Office (PEEDO) under Dr.Rodel Maglunsod and through Agusan delSur Economic and Research BusinessAssistance Center (ASERBAC), headedby Joel A. Geolina.

DR. RODEL MAGLUNSOD, officer-in-charge of the Agusan del Sur EconomicResearch and Business Assistance Center (ASERBAC) explains the need to repositionASERBAC into the Provincial Economic and Enterprise Development Office to spin-off all sustainable economic enterprises in the next five years and eventually reducesubsidy and increase revenues. He added that it can be done by innovating anddeveloping new strategic business models. (PPIO_ADS/EDG)

2 die of Dengue in first quarterBy FELIPE PARILLA

PROVINCIAL Capitol, Agusan delSur—Two persons have already died ofthe dreaded dengue fever in the provincein the first quarter of this year.

This was based on the report from theProvincial Epidemiology and SurveillanceUnit (PESU) which disclosed the deathswere among some 517 residents suspectedto have been affected by the mosquito-bornedisease recorded from January to April thisyear.

According to the same report, theDengue fatalities were suspected to havecome from Poblacion Bahbah andBarangay Sta. Maria all in Prosperidadtown.

PESU disclosed the ratio of Dengueaffliction has risen higher with 87 percentjump of the cases as compared to the sameperiod last year,

San Francisco town remain the highestwith 181 cases while Talacogon andProsperidad follows with 91cases and 75cases respectively.

By Dannilyn O. Trimidal

The province’s Veterinary Office isschedule to undergo anorganizational “auditing” to lookinto their management systemincluding project implementationprocedures.

Merlyn B. Lozano, provincialinternal audit office (PIAO) teamleader, is now coordinating with thePVO personnel for preparation and

Vet’s office to undergo ‘audit’on management system

some ‘internal audit’ clarifications.The Lozano’s audit team would

assist the PVAO in identifying theirprograms and projects includingpersonnel’s performance.

The province-based PIAO is nowon their first stage of audit engagementfor the second semester 2014.

Based on the province-wide riskassessment conducted by PIAO, thePVO appeared as one of the identifiedoffice to be audited.

GOVERNOR EDDIEBONG PLAZA, Vice-Governor Santiago Cane Jr., District 1Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Alfel Bascug, Toto Bastareche and other officialscruise along the Agusan River on a motorized boat enroute to Barangay TandangSora, Esperanza town for the energization ceremony of Purok 1 and Sitio Libertad.(PPIO_ADS/EDG)

August 3-9, 20146 August 3-9, 2014 7

By LEVIE JAMES SENO

PROVINCIAL Capitol, AgusandelSur— For the second time in a row, theMunicipality of Veruela once againbagged this year’s Tribal Street DancingCompetition held at the D.O. PlazaMemorial Sports Complex during theweek-long Naliyagan Festival 2014.

Months of practice really paid off forthe team from Veruela after they bested 12other contingents for showcasing a danceinterpretation of how residents of theirtown dealt with resiliency the effects of thedisastrous Typhoon Pablo.

The group went home with the grandprize P 150, 000 and a trophy. Aside fromthe major award, they also won the Best inCostume and Best in Choreography eachwith a cash prize of P 5, 000.00 and atrophy.

The awards and trophies werecheerfully received by Mayor Salimar T.Mondejar together with Rodel B. Romero,the choreographer.

Veruela bagged the grandprize for street dancing anew

‘Cash for Scrap’launchedBy CONCHITA O. ATON/PGSO DIO

PROVINCIAL Capitol, Agusan del Sur –“Cash for Scrap” is ongoing at the Capitolgarage here.

This came about after the provincialgoverment conducted a public bidding ofscrap materials mostly underserviceablevehicles which have remain idle at thegrounds of Provincial General ServicesOffices.

“With the disposal of scrap at thegarage, the province did not only solvedthe problem of eyesore at the PGSOgrounds but more importantly generatemillions of pesos income,” said a PGSOofficial.

The public auction of scrap materialsat the PGSO started at 9:00 ’oclockmorning.

This activity is spearheaded by PGASDisposal Committee in an efforto generateincome from thrash.

So far , there were three bidders thatsubmited their bid documents and thehighest bidder was awarded to DCMSScrap Center.

20 jobless women to undergomassage therapy trainingBy MARY GRACE RAVELO

PROVINCIAL Capitol, Agusan delSur—Some 20 jobless women in theprovince will change into productiveresidents after they undergo basictraining as massage therapists on August4-15, at the Datu Lipus MakapandongYouth, Employment and Migrant Center,Public Employment Service Office(PESO).

The livelihood training was realizedthrough the joint effort of PESO andTechnical Education for Skills

Development Authority (TESDA).The trainers invited are TESDA

accredited Massage Trainers. Participantswill be trained on the basics of TherapeuticMassage through lecture anddemonstration.

At the end of the training, participantswill be taking their National Certification forTherapeutic Massage (NC II) to beconducted by TESDA Therapeutic MassageAssessor.

This activity aims to help unemployedwomen and youth earn income through theapplication of the acquired massage skillsfor self-employment.

By HAZEL BRUZON

ESPERANZA, Agusan del Sur – Whata better way to let lactating moms feedtheir infants in a healthy mannerwithout necessarily exposing themselvesfrom the eye of public.

The Esperanza Medicare CommunityHospital (EMCH) purposely opened uptwo breastfeeding rooms for the lactatingmothers to ensure privacy as a way ofsignificantly launching the “Exclusive

EMCH launches exclusive breastfeeding programBreast Feeding Tama, Sapat at Eksklusibo(TSEK)” program on June 26 with thetheme, “Walang Mahahalaga pa sa Gatasina”.

The launching was held at thehospital’s Mess Hall headed by thehospital’s chief Dr. Elsa C. Gunay withthe program in-charge Cynthia R. Silen andGloria D. Baluca both nurses of thefacility.

Both rooms are complete withfacilities necessary for lactating and milk

PEO upgrades TINA water systemBy CHERRYLL GALARION

PROVINCIAL Capitol, Agusan delSur— To address the impending problemof the unsanitary water system in thecountryside, the Provincial EngineeringOffice has recently upgraded its biosandfacilities in the beneficiary far-flungvillages.

PEO field engineers immediately tooksuch move in the wake of reports that therewas positive existence of waterbornedisease Ecoli bacteria based on the studyconducted by an expert from partner NGOMindanao Baptist Rural Life Center.

The engineers however took necessarymeasures to address the water sourceproblem.

The upgrade at the same time solvedthe low water pressure coming out from itssources which earlier caused severalbeneficiaries no longer using the biosandfilter.

The delivery of safe drinking water inthe remote areas in the province forms partof the province’s one of the major thrustswhich is “Tubig Imnonon Natong Agusanon(TINA)” which stands for the name offormer governor and now First DistrictRepresentative Maria Valentina “Tina”Plaza.

TINA was conceptualized to addressthe scarcity of potable water in the

countryside even as the province has beenblessed with abundant lakes , rivers andsprings.

According to 2005 Community BasedMonitoring System data showed that only68% of the 109,103 total householdpopulation are being served with potableand safe drinking water. Out of the 74,170households served with potable water, 930depended on mineral water; 13,176 areserved with Level III; 26,286 served with

Level II., and 33,275 on Level IField engineer Julie B. Burlat

conceptualized and initiated the upgradedbiosand which worked well than theprevious version. So far, there are threetypes of facilities of which 67 units ofbiosand were upgraded apart from 205units rain collector and three units of springdevelopment projects already completed.

TINA projects served 10,189household for 13 towns and one city.

banking. The lactation managementseminar participated by the hospitalspersonnel and staff, pregnant women andlactating mothers become the highlight ofthe launching since it unexpectedly builta bond between the hospital and thecommunity of lactating and expectantmothers.

The program aims to encourageexpectant and lactating mothers toexclusively breastfed their babies frombirth up to 6 months. Breastfeeding Tsekprogram was initiated by the Departmentof Health in response to the country’smillennium development goals 4 and 5which is to reduce child mortality rate andimprove maternal health.

Just recently, as pay off to all theefforts and active participation of thefacility holistically, EMCH once againpassed the renewal for BreastfeedingAccreditation

Gunay in her speech concluded “Letus all join hands in promoting breastfeedingfor a healthier community”.

VERUELA TRIBAL STREET DANCERS performed during the Naliyagan StreetDancing Competition held at the D.O. Plaza Memorial Sports Complex, Patin-ay,Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur last June 12-17, 2014.

BRGY. CAPTAIN ADELO P. MICUTUAN (right) and the Municipal Agriculture Tech-nician having conversation with Eduardo C. Baluca (center) of PAMRE-PPIO Researcherduring the ocular inspection of Demo Fram for High Value Vegetable at Barangay StaEmelia, Veruela, Agusan del Sur. (Photo by Dodz Notarion/PAMRE-PPIO)